Multiform chair.



C. E. BARNES.

MULTIFOHM CH'AIR. APELlcAxoN FILED APR.18.191B.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

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C. E. BARNES.

MULTIFORM CHAIR.

APPLICATION man APa.1.i918.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

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C. E. BARNES.

MULTIFORM CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED APPLIS. IQIa.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. BARNES, OF NEW YORKJ N. Y., ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF T0 THEODOREG'. STRATER, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

MULTIFORM CHAIR.

Application filed April 18, 1918.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. BARNES, a citizen of the United States,and resident of New York, county of New York, State of New York, haveinvented an Improvement in Multiform Chairs, of which the followingdescription, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is aspecification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to improvements in multiform chairs of the typedisclosed in my prior application forPatent No. 169,665 filed May 19,1917. rIhe present device like that disclosed in the precedingapplication comprises a chair having a rectangular, preferably square,frame provided with a seat pivotally secured to the frame and a backpivotally and adj ustably secured to the frame with means for adjustingthe back from a substantially vertical position to a horizontal positionin which it forms a continuation of the seat.

The chair also comprises a seat extension with means for so supportingthe same as to permit it to be inclosed within the frame beneath theseat when the device is to be used as a chair or to be withdrawn fromits inclosed position to form an extension lying in the plane of theseat when the device is to be used as a chaise longue or coach.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improvedmeans for adjustably securing" the back to the frame which'will permitthe adjustment of the back as aforesaid and when the back is inhorizontal position to form an extension of the seat will retain theback firmly against the seat thereby avoiding any space which otherwisemight occur between the back and the seat particularly if the chairshould be drawn from place to 'place by pulling upon the horizontallypositioned back.

Another object of the invention is to provide a convenient means for`assembling and knocking down the chair for packing and shipping. In thepresent invention the back is provided with means adapted telescopicallyto receive side members which are pivotally connected to the frame. Thesocket portions of such telescoping members are countersunk in the frameof the back so that the upholstering will overlie them while the otherportions of the telescoping members fit within the sockets and aresecured thereto Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

serial No. 229,230.

by single screws which are hidden when the chair is assembled.

Another object of the invention isto provide means for so supporting theextension that the same may be supported in an inclined position as wellas in a horizontal position in the plane of the seat.

Another feature of the invention consists in securing the arm Aportionsof the chair to the frame by expansible dowel pins seated in sockets,thereby retaining the arms firmly in position but permitting their easyremoval when it is desired to place the arms transversely of the chairto transform the same into a settee.

Other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear fromthe following description, the accompanying drawings, and will bepointed out in the annexed claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view mainly in side elevation but partly in sectionshowing in full lines my invention adapted to form a chaise longue andin dotted lines, various positions illustrating the device prepared forother uses,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same showing the device when assembledto form a settee,

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view on lines 3 3, Fig. 1 of a portion ofone of the sides of the back showing the position of the telescopingpieces by which the back is secured to the frame,

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the lower portion of the arm andthe upper portion of the post showing the eXpansible dowel pin andsocket for connecting the same together,

Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of a portion of the upper part of thesector,

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the mechanism for connecting theback, seat and frame, on line 6 6 Fig. l, and,

Fig. 7 is a detail view showing a preferred means for supporting thefront end of the seat extension when inclosed in the frame beneath theseat.

The device which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises achair having a frame consisting of vertical sides 1 2 and ends 3 4, thesides and ends being preferably mortised into the corner posts 5, 6, Tand 8. The sides 1 and 2 are wider than f the ends 3, d and the uppersurface of said sides lie flush with the top of the posts, Whereas thetop edges of the ends 3 and l lie below the tops of the posts at suchdistance as to be in the horizontal plane of the under surface of theback and seat extension when these members are in the extended positionin Which the device forms a couch.

The frame is rectangular in form, preferarbly square, so that the armsmay be positionedeither at the sides to form a Morris chair ortransversely of the device intermediate of its ends. The sea-t 9 Whichpreferably is upholstered is of rectangular' form to fit Within theframe and rests at its forward edge upon the end piece il. It ispivotally supported at its rear end upon the fra-me so that its front orfree end may be raised to permit the extension to be inserted beneath itor Withdrawn therefrom to form an extension of the seat when the deviceis to be used as a chaise longue or couclL rl`he back also preferably ispivotally connected to the frame by the same device as that whichpivotally supports the seat so that both the seat and the back areadapted to be moved about the same pivotal axis. The preferred means forthus supporting the seat from the back comprises a pair of sector platesll which are secured to and preferably couutersunk in the sides l and 2of the frame adjacent the rear posts 5 and 'i'. These sectors desirablyare in the skeleton form illustrated in Figs. l and and are provided attheir centers with journals to receive the pivots for the seat and t-heside members which support the back which will be hereinafter described.

The seat is pivotally supported l.- shaped brackets l2 Which areattached to the bottoni of the seat and have outwardly extending studs Mwhich are seated in tire journals of thesectors ll. The back l0preferably isr pivotally supported upon the same studs 14.

j desirable means for mounting the back ,tirely overlie these socketmem-bero.

which is illustrated in the present drawing, oomnrises detachablytelescoping members connected respectively to the sides of the back andto the frame. Each socket member l5, which is connected to the back, isformed of a Vflat piece of metal folded upon itself so as to presenttivo parallel leaves 16, 17 having a'space between' them to receive theother member, one or both of said leaves being provided `With lateralextensions 18, 19 which are countersunk in and secured to the edge ofthe frame of the back. The construction preferably is such that theupholsteringof the back Will en- The other members of the telescopingside pieces comprise flat plates 20 which are provided t nediate theirends vri h oset portions ich bring the outer faces of the re* mainingportions 22 of said members flush with the outer falls of the s ocketmembers. This arrangement also provides a rigid support for the bottomof the socket members. T he lower portions 22 of the fiat plates areprovided with slots 23 through which the pivots le extend so that theside pieces Which support the back are pivotallyand slidably mountedupon said pivot 14e.

rit their lo-iver ends the members 22 of the side pieces are providedWith laterally extending studs 2l which are adapted to engage the teethA25 of the sector plates ll.A

'if' he sector may be provided with any number of teeth to permit theadjustment of the back to desirable positions. VThe sector alsodesirably is provided with a guard 26 Which is formed integral with itadapted to. limit the movement of the stud 2d when the back is movedfrom one adjustment to another. The sectorv plates ll are provided attheir upper ends With upwardly extending reversely curved recesses 27,the curvature being` such that when the back is lowered to horizontalvposition illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. l the studsQel Will .rideupwardly in said recess and dravv the inner end of the backlirmlyagainst thev rear end of the seat. rllhis is an essential featureof the present invention as it insures the closest union of the back andseat When the back is moved into lhorizontal position, thus avoiding .anuncomfortable recess to a person ylyingupon the same. Furthermore, itprevents the separation of the back'and seat if the device is draivnabout the'room by pulling .upon the back after the device is extended.

The telescoping seetions'ofthe side pieces may be secured together Abyscrews 2.8 `which pass through the plates'l, 17 of the socket member andthe intermediate member :20 of theside plate. .By reason of theconstruction aforesaid the back can be removed from the assembledposition illustrated in Fig. l for ythe purpose ofV packing the chair bymerely withdrawing the screws 28 and rais.- ing the back upwardlyimtilthe socket members are disengaged from the inclosed plates 20. V'lheback can then be laid vupon the seat and secured in the'usual manner. ltwill be noted that vin this construction the loiver sections ,2O of thesidev platesfd'o not extend above the level of the arms lof the chair sothat When the back is laid upon 4the seat for packing there Will be noprojections outside of the normal space occupied by the tenons 33 at itsends slidably mounted in guides 34 secured to the inner walls of thesides 1 2. These guides 34 desirably are of curved form and extenddiagonally the length of the sides 1 and 2, the curvature being suchthat when the supporting member 32 is in forward position (illustratedin Fig. l) the upper surface thereof, and consequently the leaf 31 ofthe hinge` will be in horizontal position. l

By reason of this construction the seat extension 29 may be inserted inthe space beneath the seat 9 and concealed from view. The seat extensionand the back may each be supported in horizontal position as illustratedin Figs. l and 2 by suitable legs pivotally secured within their outerends. A desirable means comprises legs 35 which are supported uponpivots 36 in the frame of the seat extension and back in such a mannerthat when the legs are folded they will lie within suitable recessesabove the end pieces of said seat extension or back.

The legs 35 are provided at their upper ends with pins 37 and 38 adaptedto be engaged by spring plates 39 which are secured to cross pieces 40.The device preferably is provided with detachable arm sections 41, 42each like those illustrated in my application aforesaid which areadapted to be positioned either at the sides of the frame to form chairarms or transversely thereof when the device is in the form of a settee,to divide it into three seats. These arms desirably are of skeleton formcomprising end posts 44, 45 and side rails 46 and a top 47 connected byslats 4S. The posts 44 and 45 extend downwardly below the side rail 46sufficiently to permit said rail to escape contact with the upholsteredcushions of the device when the arms are placed transversely thereof.The posts 44, 45 desirably have at their lower ends dowel pins 49slotted at their lower ends 50 and expanded slightly, and the tops ofthe posts 5, 6, 7 and 8 are provided with sockets 51 lined with metallicbushings 52 to receive the ends of the dowel pins, as illustrated indetail in Fig. 4.

By reason of this construction the arms will be firmly held in placeupon the insertion of the dowel pins into the sockets and can be readilyremoved when desired.

In order to prevent the front end of the seat extension from droppingdown, when inclosed within the frame beneath the seat, a strap 53 may besecured to the under surface of the forward end of the seat anddetachably connected to a button 54 projecting downwardly from the underface of the front end of said extension. In order to provide for theeasy insertion ofthe seat extension beneath the seat 9 I have provided aleg 55 which is pivotally mounted upon a stud 56 upon the side of theseat, the lower end of the leg having a laterally extending foot 58adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the guide 34l so that when theseat is raised as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. it will supportthe same in the raised position and permit the extension to be insertedor withdrawn. By reason of its pivotal connection however, this leg andfoot may be turned to the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. lto permit the seat to return to horizontal position.

It will be understood that the embodiment of the invention disclosedherein is illustrative and not restrictive and that various changes inconstruction, form and relation of parts may be made within the spiritand scope of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A multiform chair comprising a frame having legs, a back, a movableseat, guiding means within said frame, a seat extension, supportingmeans for said seat extension carried by said guiding means and having apivotal connection with said guiding extension adapted to project beyondsaid` frame whereby the outer end of said seat eX- tension may beinclined downwardly.

A multiform chair comprising a frame having legs, a back, a movableseat, guiding means within said frame, a seat eXtension, supportingmeans for said seat eXtension carried by said guiding means and having`a pivotal connection with said guiding extension adapted to projectbeyond said frame whereby the outer end of said seat extension may beinclined downwardly and al leg pivotally supported upon said seatextension adapted to hold the seat extension in horizontal position.

3. A multiform chair comprising a frame having legs, a back, a seatpivoted at its rear end, curved guideways within said frame beneath saidseat, a seat extension, supporting means for said seat extensionslidably mounted in said guideway comprising a hinge connecting saidsupporting means to said extension, said hinge being adapted to restupon said frame and to project beyond the same to permit the outer endof said seat extension to be inclined downwardly.

4. In a chair comprising a frame having legs, a seat, a back and meansfor adjustably connecting said back to said frame including side memberspivotally connected to said frame and extending upwardly along the sidesof said back and brackets connected to the sides of said back andcountersunk therein consisting of metallic pla-tes folded to embracetelescopically said side members and adapted to be covered by theupholstering of said back and means' for locking said side members insaid brackets.

5. A multiform chair comprising a frame sides of said Vframe Coperatingpivotal means looatediat the centers of said sectors, a bac-k havingside pieces pivotally and slidably mounted on said pivotal members andhaving means adapted adjustably to engage the teeth of said sectorswherebg7 the position of said back may be adjusted and means Aforpreventing sliding movement of said side pieces when the `back ,is insubstantially hori zontal position whereby separation of the back andseat will be prevented.

6. A inultii'orm Chair comprising a frame having legs, a pair ofinternally toothed seefrors connected oppositely to the inner sides ofsaid frame, Vcooperating pivotal means located at the Centers of saidsectors, a back having side pieces pivotally and slidably mounted onsaid pivotal members and having means adapted adjustably to engage thete-etho1 said sectors whereby the position of said back may be adjusted,said sectors being provided with an upwardly extending reversely curvedrestricted slot adapted to receive the means engaging the teeth of saidsectors to prevent separation of said back and seal when the back is insubstantiel-ll;T horizontal position.

maaar@ for said seat, guiding means within said Y frame forsaidextensionadapted to permit said extension to be positioned beneath said seat andmeans :Eoldably Connected l'to said seat operable to hold the lforwardend of said seat in elevated position towpermit said extension to bewithdrawn'and replaced.

8. ln a multiform chair comprising a frame having legs, a seat pivotallymounted at its `rear end on said lframe,an extension for said seat,Uuideways in said frame, stipporting means for. said extension slidablymounted in said guideways adapted to permit the seat extension to beeonoealedbeneath said seat or withdrawn beyondy the ln testimonywhereof7 I have signed myV name to this speeiiioation.

CHARLES E. BARNES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for tive cents each, by adressingYthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

